Detox Diets? Yuk!!
Friday, January 13, 2012 Comments (0)
As it is the beginning of the year many of us take this time to make big changes in our health. Some want to exercise more, others want to quit smoking or some other debilitating habit. But I suspect that the majority want to lose weight.
For whatever reason, the detox diet method of losing weight has gained popularity and has become a starting point for many. I can see why the method is attractive many people lose copious amounts of weight in a very short time.
The detox diet can be descibed as a plan in which food is eliminated from the diet. In other words no eating for you! The idea is that the body will purify itself since there is nothing to process and as a result all toxins are eliminated from the body. The belief is that the body is better able to function and therefore allow for greater weight loss.
The truth is diet has never been proven to be more effective than our current method of detoxification. Not only that but this method can be dangerous and also come back to bite you in the butt.
Our body already has an amazing filtering system; it’s called the Endocrine system. Between the liver and kidneys our body manages to get rid of toxins and other waste that is not useable.
The result of not eating food for consecutive days or restricting your diet to juices causes fundamental changes in your ability to metabolize food. To keep it simple your body will go into starvation mode. Starvation mode means that the body will start saving anything that enters the body because it believes that there will be noting for later anything that enters the body is matoblized as slowly as possible in attempt to provide as much nutrients to the muscles and organs etc. Once we begin to eat again, metabolic processes have slowed to the point that they can not process food fast enought so the body must store it as fat. The next thing you know you have gained back your weight and maybe even added some extra poundage that you hadn’t planned on. Isn’t that a kick in the pants!
It is true that quiting smoking and decreasing your fat intake will cause you to become healthier and lose weight, but this can be done without a Detox Diet. And it can be done in a much healthier and long lasting way. After all it’s not like you can “detox diet” for the rest of your life but you can live healthier and make cleaner choices for your body day in and day out. This is much more sustainable and longlasting. And can I just mention that Detox is not fun at all!
Not only that, but a detox diet doesn’t really teach you how to control your weight. All it does is get rid of the evidence. It’s kind of like a bad criminal. You will still be left holding the goods down the road.
If you really want to make a change that will be long lasting. Make gradual yet profound changes to your lifestlye. Start slow, set goals and challenge yourself to visit territory that’s not that comfortable for you. For example if you binge eat ask yourself why that happens. This type of technique may require a coach, but it can change your life and help you to become more at peace with yourself.
Before you choose the quick fix like a detox Diet, decide what you really want to do with your life. I hope that your goal is to become a happier and more healthier you!
Have a happy Day!
